MACCLESFIELD Town boss Keith Alexander is calling on his strikers to show what they can do.

The Town manager is disappointed his side have been unable to find their firepower ahead of last night’s pre-season friendly against Oldham.

Alexander has five strikers on his books in Emile Sinclaire, Stephen Reed, Kyle Wilson, Kristian Dennis and Vinny Mukendi but also has ex-Macc hitman Matthew Tipton on trial who is trying to win a place back in the Town frontline.

"The five strikers have got to start showing," said Alexander, who hasn’t ruled out signing another frontman if his current crop don’t perform.

"We have had three friendlies so far and they have only played two 45 minutes each so it is hard to be critical but one goal in three games is obviously a problem. We are looking to get another striker in if we don’t start scoring but we have to work within our budget and strikers can be expensive so it is up to the lads at the club to show what they can do.

"There are players available who have played in the reserves or youth teams for the higher league clubs but it is a big risk and it doesn’t mean they can score goals in the league.

"The lack of goals, though, is a major problem for us so far."

Former Macc striker Tipton was at Moss Rose from 2002-05 where he scored 41 goals in 131 appearances before returning on loan in 2006-07 from Bury.

He has since been in non-league with Hyde United and Droylsden but he is trying to impress Town’s boss.

"Matthew has been here before and we know all about him," continued Alexander. "We are struggling in front of goal so we are ready to have another look at him. He has been out of this level for a couple of years and so we have got to make sure that he is fit and that he is better than what we have got but he is certainly worth a look at."

The Silkmen are suffering something of an injury crisis at the moment and are battling to keep everyone fit before the big kick off on August 8.

Sean Hessey will definitely miss the first game against Northampton with knee ligament damage and utility player Nat Brown, who the Silkmen signed after a successful loan spell from Wrexham last season, looks likely to be out as he has shin splints and will be in a cast for four weeks and then will probably face another four weeks out. Paul Morgan injured his groin although we hope it isn’t too serious and he played some part against Oldham," continued Alexander.

"Paul Bolland is also suffering with a groin injury as is Rikki Baines while Stephen Reed and Kyle Wilson have calf injuries.

"We are hoping these are all just minor as these things happen in pre-season. It’s when players come back and are raring to go and it goes from taking it easy to the intensity of training. But there is nothing you can do about it although it is disappointing. We have only got a squad of 18 players and we have all those injuries so we are light and having to use the youth team to supplement them at the moment."

While a striker search is on. Alexander may have found a second goalkeeper to challenge Jon Brain for the Number One jersey.

"Paddy Gamble has been on trial and done well," he said. "I want to bring someone in to provide competition for Jon.

"I think, if I sign a striker and goalkeeper, that will take my squad up to about 20 or 21 and that’s all I can have with the finances avaiable.

"The rest of the players will have to fit in around that. What we have tried to do this pre-season is concentrate on more quality than quantity so we will have less players, but hopefully more quality one."

THE Silkmen face Tranmere on Saturday at Moss Rose (ko 3pm).